 Plants and Animals Compete for Resources It is not uncommon for two organisms to compete with one another. Often, this happens when there is a limited supply of resources like water, food, sunlight, or space. If there are not enough resources to satisfy the needs of both organisms, they will compete with one another. Sometimes this competition occurs between members of the same species. Male birds of the same species will battle each other fiercely for the ownership of a territory. The territory would allow sufficient food and habitat for the male and the female birds to make a nest, eggs, and feed offspring. Competition among individuals of the same species is a very important factor in evolutionary change. Plants must deal with competition in different ways. Usually the plants that grow the tallest or establish the “best” root system are the survivors. In some cases, plants even secrete chemicals, which prevent the seeds from other plants from growing. Competition may occur among members of different species. In this case, limited resources are usually the cause for competition. 
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